The Gimli International Film Festival is inviting writers to submit their screenplays for a new event that will bring scripts to life during this year’s festival in Gimli, Manitoba. The festival, which takes place from July 22 to July 26, 2026, is partnering with the OurToba Film Network and ACTRA Manitoba to host a live cold read session on July 23.
A cold read allows writers to hear their work performed aloud for the first time by professional actors with little or no rehearsal. This raw and immediate experience is designed to help creators develop their scripts by hearing how dialogue and pacing translate from the page to a performance.
Writers interested in having their work featured at the event have until May 31, 2026, to submit their scripts through the festival’s online portal. This session is part of the festival’s 26th-anniversary celebration, marking its history as the largest rural film festival in Canada.
The partnership combines the reach of Manitoba’s premier film festival with the community support of the OurToba Film Network, which promotes women, non-binary, and gender-diverse filmmakers. Professional performers will be provided by ACTRA Manitoba, the provincial branch of the national union representing professional actors.
